Hallmark Kicks Off the Season with Bills Inspired Christmas Story

By Abbi DiRienzo

Snow, football, and a little holiday magic came together as Hallmark premiered Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, its newest Christmas movie, and this time, Buffalo got to be the star.

The film, which debuted November 22, follows neighbors-turned-friends Morgan Quinn and Gabe DeLuca, both lifelong Buffalo Bills fans, as they navigate a budding romance in the middle of festive chaos. Much of the story unfolds around familiar scenes: swirling Lake Erie snow, glowing downtown streets, and the unmistakable backdrop of Highmark Stadium.

The movie is part of Hallmark’s growing collaboration with the NFL, and Buffalo fans were more than ready for their turn in the spotlight. Several current and former Bills players make appearances in the movie, adding authenticity and a few fun surprises for viewers who know the team well.

Across Western New York, fans hosted watch parties; local bars screened the premiere, and Bills Mafia embraced the moment with holiday flair. Nicole DiRienzo, an avid Hallmark Christmas movie watcher, said “It was a great family night. As somebody who watches Hallmark Christmas movies, this one felt more personal to me because I have grown up in Buffalo.”

Warm, cozy, and packed with hometown pride, Holiday Touchdown delivers exactly what Hallmark does best: a feel-good story with familiar charm. For Buffalo fans, it’s also a love letter to the city itself. It was definitely a perfect way to say goodbye to the Highmark Stadium era that Bills Mafia has grown to love.